Corvette’s Founding Fathers, Peter Brock, Pt 6 of 6
Peter Brock: The Man Who Penned the Sting Ray Dateline: 2-28-19 – Images: GM Archives; Graphics & by K. Scott Teeters Of the six men...
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Corvette’s Founding Fathers, Larry Shinoda, Pt 5 of 6: Sting Ray & Mako Shark Designer
Larry Shinoda was the perfect designer/stylist for GM VP of Styling Bill Mitchell. In the same way that Mitchell fit with Harley Earl, Shinoda clearly understood what Mitchell wanted. As VP of Design, Mitchell’s job was to hold the vision for what he knew would be new and fresh, then lead his designers and stylists to bring his vision into reality. Corvettes were always Mitchell’s pet projects and he was famous for saying, “Don’t get cocky, kid! I design Corvettes around here!” Mitchell’s Corvettes were about design, speed, power, and performance. And for that, he needed a designer/stylist equal to Duntov’s engineering/racing prowess. Larry Shinoda was his man.
Corvette’s Founding Fathers, Pt 1 of 6 – Designer Extraordinaire, Harley J. Earl
Harley J. Earl’s accomplishments were staggering. His beautiful concept cars and subtle innovations (such as turn signals and wrap-around glass) that live on today, unnoticed, aren’t nearly as impactful as his greatest legacy, the Corvette. His quote, “The Corvette was a little thing I started.” is one of the all-time great, automotive understatements. Sixty-five years after Earl took his LeSabre concept car to the 1951 Watkins Glen sports car race and was inspired, we are still captivated by Corvettes. That’s one heck-of-a legacy!
Founding Fathers, Pt 2 of 6 – Ed Cole, the Corvette’s Godfather, Pt 2 of 6
Ed Cole was born on September 17, 1909 and grew up on his family’s dairy farm. As a kid, Ed designed, built, and sold radio sets and when he was old enough, the natural mechanic started working at an auto parts supply store and building hot rods. For a time, Ed thought he wanted to be a lawyer, but that “car thing” got in the way.
Corvette Chiefs, Pt. 1 of 5 – Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette’s Nostradamus
As a young man, Duntov was into boxing, motorcycles, fast cars, and pretty girls. After his formal engineering training in Berlin, Germany, Duntov started racing cars and applying his engineering skills to racecar construction. In 1935 Duntov built his first racecar with help from his racing partner Asia Orley; they called the car, “Arkus”. Their goal was to debut the car at the Grand Prix de Picardie in June 1935. But after a series of mishaps, the car caught fire and never raced. From this point forward, all Duntov wanted to do was build racecars.
Founding Fathers Pt 4 of 6: Corvette Godfather, Zora Arkus-Duntov
One of the definitions of the word, “godfather” is; “one that founds, supports, or inspires”. Of all of the Corvette’s “Founding Fathers” none are more deserving of the term than Zora Arkus-Duntov. It is not an exaggeration to say that were it not for Duntov, the Corvette never would have made it past 1970!
Although the Corvette fit the definition of a “sports car”, when Chevrolet released the car in 1953, they said that the car was, “not a sports car”. But when Zora saw the Corvette at the 1953 GM Motorama in New York City, he said that it was the most beautiful car he had ever seen, and knew instantly that he wanted to be a part of the new Corvette team.
5.2.77: Ret. GM president, Ed Cole dies in small plane crash
Edward Nicholas Cole: The Father of the Small-Block Chevy & Godfather to the Corvette Ed Cole was the father of the small-block Chevy engine and...
1963–1967 C2 Corvette Review: Engineering, Styling, Sales, and Legacy
The 1963–1967 C2 Corvette was a radical break from the original Corvette, introducing all-new engineering, bold styling, and perfect economic timing that ensured its survival.
1953-1962 C1 Corvette Review: Parts Bin Car or Solid Design
1953–1962 C1 Corvette Generation Review: Not a Parts-Bin Car
Chevrolet’s Corvette is arguably the most successful car Detroit has ever produced. That success is not measured by sales alone. Instead, it comes from longevity, constant improvement, and bold engineering choices.
When Harley Earl’s small white Chevrolet “sporty car” debuted on January 17, 1953, few people imagined what would follow. More than seventy years later, the Corvette remains in production. Even more surprising, it now stands beside Cadillac as General Motors’ primary technology showcase.
A Look Back at Corvette Wheels, Pt. 1 – 1953-1967
This story was originally published in 2009 in VETTE Magazine. A Review of 1953 to 1967 C1 and C2 Corvette Wheels After the characteristics of...
Will the C8 “Zora” Corvette Have Active Aero?
Published GM U.S. Patent Confirms New “Active” Aero System for the Corvette UPDATE: Chevrolet is notorious for not tipping their hand when it comes to...
Corvette Timeline Tales – August
The only thing hotter than an August day in Michigan was the all-new, 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. The GM Proving Ground was first opened in 1924 and was the industry’s first dedicated automobile testing facility. Located in Milford, Michigan, the facility is huge and today has 4,000 acres, 107 buildings, and employs around 4,800 people. Some say that in the summer months, out on the 4,000 acre black asphalt surface, the temperature can reach 140-degrees!
Corvette Engineer Mauri Rose – Genuine Unsung Hero
Mauri Rose was a genuine unsung Corvette hero. Having won the Indy 500 three times, Rose had the most racing experience of any GM engineer. Chevrolet Chief Engineer, Cole told him, “You are the man to do the sports car.”
Mike & Linda Waal’s Grand Touring (GT) 1980 Corvette
See the USA in a Chevrolet, CORVETTE! Dateline: 4-5-22 (this story was first published in the April 2018 issue of Vette Vues Magazine) – The...
